“The Cloud” is a term you’ve probably heard a lot of in recent years. Even more so in the business industry. The term “cloud” can be broken down further into three categories, a public cloud, a private cloud, and a hybrid cloud. Today, CPT of South Florida wants to talk about the private cloud and what the benefits and drawbacks are of this type of cloud.
We’ll be breaking down if a private cloud is a good idea and if it’s right for your organization.
Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud
A private cloud is just one of the three different cloud environments. The other two are the public and hybrid cloud. These are the differences.
- Public Cloud
- On-demand computing
- Hardware and software hosted off-premises
- Cloud resources are shared with other organizations.
- Private Cloud
- On-demand computing
- Hardware and software hosted on OR off-premises.
- Cloud resources are only available to your organization.
- Hybrid Cloud
- On-demand computing
- Hardware and software hosted on OR off-premises.
- Cloud resources are available over public and private clouds
Pros of a Private Cloud
The main advantages of a private cloud are increased cybersecurity, greater customization, lower TCO, and regulatory compliance.
- Increased Security
Making the switch means only your organization can access the resources available. This makes it much harder for outsiders to reach your information.
Having the clouds hosted on-premises also means no one can access the physical hardware. This can be reassuring for board members and stakeholders that outside threats are kept low.
- Greater Customization
Since public clouds are available to multiple organizations, there isn’t much customization. Private clouds are designed to be customizable since they are only available to your organization. This allows you to customize your cloud to what your workload will look like.
- Lower TCO
These clouds is less expensive to operate than a public cloud. This means a lower total cost of ownership and an increase in cost-effectiveness.
- Regulatory Compliance
Maintaining compliance with regulations regarding sensitive information and patient records is easier. They aren’t affected by outsiders as frequently thanks to added security.
Cons of a Private Cloud
While it does come with a good amount of pros, there are some cons like cost and reliability.
- Larger Investment
If you’re hosting on-site it can initially cost much more than a public cloud. You have to invest in licenses, data centers, servers, and network infrastructure.
- Higher Staffing Costs
Having an on-site cloud now means your IT team has to configure, patch, and manage the hardware and software.
- Higher Maintenance Costs
Your cloud will have higher maintenance costs than a public cloud. You will pay more to maintain your cloud infrastructure.
- Unreliability
Your cloud will only be as reliable as your hardware, software, and staff. If something goes wrong, you and your team will have to fix it. Public clouds have large providers and backups and staff. Public clouds rarely go down.
Private Clouds vs. Public Clouds? Which to go With
Going with a private cloud over a public cloud comes down to costs and risks. A private cloud costs more to host but it also lowers your risk of data breaches. They also offer more customization. In the end, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons and decide which is best for your organization.
If you need further help understanding the different clouds, CPT of South Florida is here for you. Visit our online contact form to get in touch.